It has been a turbulent first year for billionaire Jim Ratcliffe at Manchester United. After acquiring a 25% stake in the club for $1.3 billion, the British businessman vowed to restore its former glory. However, results on and off the pitch have fallen far short of expectations.
Struggles on the Pitch
Manchester United, a 20-time English champion, currently finds itself languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table. With 12 league defeats already this season, the team has been closer to relegation than securing a spot in the top six.
Even head coach Ruben Amorim, who took charge in November, has acknowledged the club’s deep-rooted issues. Following a 1-0 loss to Tottenham, he admitted:
“I have a lot of problems, my job is so hard, but I am here to continue with my beliefs.”
High-Profile Changes and Cost-Cutting Measures
Ratcliffe’s leadership has seen a complete overhaul of Manchester United’s operations, including key hires and dismissals:
- Omar Berrada (former Manchester City executive) appointed as CEO.
- Dan Ashworth (former Newcastle sporting director) brought in to oversee recruitment.
- Jason Wilcox (ex-Manchester City academy director) named technical director.
- Dave Brailsford & Jean-Claude Blanc, key figures from Ratcliffe’s INEOS Sport, joined the board.
- Erik ten Hag was dismissed despite receiving a contract extension just months earlier.
These changes came at a cost: United spent $13.09 million to part ways with Ten Hag and his staff, while Amorim’s appointment from Sporting Lisbon cost $13.85 million. Ashworth’s hiring also involved a $2.5–3.78 million payout to Newcastle after prolonged negotiations.
Meanwhile, cost-cutting measures have led to around 250 staff redundancies, with more expected. Even club legend Sir Alex Ferguson will step down from his ambassadorial role at the end of the season.
Financial Woes and Fan Unrest
Manchester United reported $140 million in losses last year, prompting controversial decisions, including ticket price hikes. The lowest-priced match tickets were increased from $49 to $81 mid-season.
This move sparked outrage among fans. The Manchester United Supporters Trust posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Fans should not be paying the price for previous bad ownership & bad management.”
Protests continue, with supporters still expressing frustration over the Glazer family’s majority ownership, despite Ratcliffe’s involvement.
Transfer Struggles and Uncertain Future
Despite $260 million spent on new players under Ratcliffe, results have been disappointing:
- Joshua Zirkzee has struggled to adapt to the Premier League.
- Leny Yoro has missed much of the season due to injury.
With financial restrictions looming, United may lack the spending power required to overhaul the squad in the summer.
Stadium and Infrastructure Plans
Ratcliffe envisions a world-class stadium, either by redeveloping Old Trafford or constructing a new one. The UK government has backed these plans, but funding remains a major challenge.
Meanwhile, a $63 million upgrade of United’s Carrington training complex is already underway.
The Road Ahead
United last won the Premier League in 2013 under Ferguson. This season, arch-rival Liverpool is poised to match their record 20 league titles, highlighting the club’s decline.
Ratcliffe, a seasoned businessman, now faces the reality that success in football isn’t guaranteed by financial investment alone. Whether his vision for United materializes remains to be seen.
